Under the terms of the ESF maintenance grant scheme, grants are not payable in respect of a repeat year of study on the same course, except at the discretion of the VEC in exceptional circumstances, such as cases of certified serious illness. Furthermore, a grant-holder may generally only receive funding for the approved duration of one ESF-aided course. However, subject to a maximum funding duration of four years, a grant may be continued for a grant-holder who, having passed, failed or not completed the first year of a course, wishes to transfer to a different course.
I have been advised by County Wexford VEC that the student in question initially advised that he intended repeating first year of a certificate course in industrial services at Cork Institute of Technology. As he had previously pursued part of this course in 1997-98 he would have been ineligible for funding in respect of the repeat year. He has since advised County Wexford VEC that he now intends to pursue a course in construction studies – interior architecture technology – at Cork Institute of Technology. The VEC is currently awaiting confirmation of his registration on this course. On receipt thereof, I understand that he will be eligible for funding in respect of his attendance on the new course.
